Happy Thanksgiving to All !!!

Just another warm, soft evening on the beach, he thought. The sun was low in the sky and would be setting soon. There was no wind and the water’s surface was smooth, like the face of a mirror. He was enjoying the peace of the moment, quietly watching the big red ball sink slowly toward the line of the horizon.

“Spellbinding, isn’t it?”

He turned to find the source of that soft voice.

“I’ve been following you down the beach for a while. I wanted to see the sunset but I don’t like to walk alone out here. It’s my cowardly way of having a secret escort…sorry.”

She was just a whisper of a girl…, slender, blue eyes, jet black hair, wearing cut-off jeans and an old non-descript t-shirt, barefoot, as was he.

“How do you know I’m not some pervert or an axe murderer.”

“I checked to make sure you weren’t carrying an axe.”

“…and the other?”

“Well, I’m just rolling the dice on that one, but you’ve got a nice honest look about you.”

They both laughed and turned back to the sun that was starting to gather all its colors and cast them into the scattering of clouds along the horizon and overhead. There was a moment of complete magic as the sun dropped below the horizon and the sky erupted blazing, beautiful color.

“Well, the main feature appears to be over for the evening. Guess I’ll be heading back now.” He turned, “Walk you back if you want.”

“Want to wait for a minute or two? I like to watch the afterglow and the moonrise. There’s a bench over there where we could sit if you’d like.”

“Sure, Was just going back to the cottage to make dinner anyway.”

“You hungry? I know a great cafe just down the road if you don’t feel like cooking. They have a great shrimp basket and jambalaya just like back on the bayou.”

“Are you asking me for a date? I don’t even know your name!”

“Yep! …And the name’s Jill…, and yours is…?”

“Jack…, and it’s nice to meet you, Jill.”

She giggled,” Jack and Jill, …went up the hill to fetch a pail of water…, and we’ll just skip the rest. I don’t think either of us looks that clumsy!” He was laughing at the coincidence too.

He sat quietly reflecting on what had just happened. It was just supposed to be a nice quiet walk on the beach before dinner. How did it suddenly become a date with a pair of blue eyes, nestled above a cute turned-up nose? Don’t try to control life so much, he thought, just go with the flow for once and have a good time.

“Did I say something wrong?”, she asked quietly

“No”, he replied, “Sorry if I was being rude. I was just lost in a thought for a moment”.

The moon had started its ascent into the heavens, lighting a silvery path from its keep in the depths to the beach where they sat. Venus and the first stars had winked into view in the deepening sky as the last visages of pink faded into deep blue on the horizon. Hi sighed…, it was another moment of magic. Magic made even better as he could share it with someone.

“Thought you might like it,” she whispered,” now we can go off to the café and enjoy some great Cajun cookin’”.

“Sure,” he replied, “Happy to find that this little fairy tale I seem to have stepped into includes some food. I’m hungry!”

After dinner, Jill went to her car and back home. Jack walked back to his little cottage by the beach…

Will they ever meet again? Y’ never know…, there might be another fairy tale for them to share………